BUFFALO, N.Y. – For four years,
Billy Morris built one of the greatest careers in D'Youville University baseball history. Now, the Saints standout is taking the next step.
After concluding his collegiate career this spring, Morris has signed with the Trenton Thunder of the MLB Draft League, giving the 2026 graduate the opportunity to continue playing professionally while showcasing his talent in front of Major League Baseball organizations.
For Morris, the signing represents the culmination of years of hard work and the chance to continue pursuing a lifelong dream.
"It's crazy for sure, and to just get an opportunity like this to play in the MLB Draft League I am beyond thankful," Morris said. "It's something I've always worked for and for it to actually happen it's exciting. After finishing my senior season at D'Youville, I was definitely hoping an opportunity like this would come, but I didn't expect it to happen as quickly as it did. I'm beyond grateful for the chance, and now it's all about making the most of it."
Morris leaves D'Youville as one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history. A four-year starter and cornerstone of the Saints' lineup, he earned All-East Coast Conference honors in each of his four seasons while collecting three National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) All-Region selections, three D2CCA All-Region honors, three American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Region selections, two NCBWA All-America honors, and a D2CCA All-America selection.
Few players have left a greater mark on the D'Youville record book.
As a two-way player, Morris finished his career batting .348 with 252 hits, 163 runs scored, 160 RBIs, and 77 extra-base hits. He graduates as the program's all-time leader in batting average, at-bats, hits, runs scored, RBIs, and doubles while also ranking among the top five in career home runs. His name is scattered throughout the program's single-season records, ranking first in at-bats and hits while placing among the top 10 in batting average, slugging percentage, runs scored, RBIs, doubles, and home runs.
Despite his offensive accomplishments, Morris' professional opportunity will come on the mound.
During his career, he emerged as one of the top pitchers in program history, making 50 appearances while compiling a 4.41 ERA over 261 innings with 212 strikeouts. He finishes his career as D'Youville's all-time leader in wins while ranking among the top three in innings pitched, earned run average, and strikeouts. He also holds the program's single-season records for innings pitched and victories.
After balancing responsibilities as both a hitter and pitcher throughout college, Morris is looking forward to concentrating solely on pitching as he begins his professional career.
"I think it's a great opportunity to really focus on just one part of my game," Morris said. "Being a two-way player at D'Youville helped me grow and gave me a better understanding of the game, but now I can put all my attention into just pitching and continue developing those skills. My approach is to not think and keep things simple. Play hard, compete every day, be a good teammate, and take advantage of every opportunity I'm given. At the end of the day, I just want to show the kind of player and person I am and let everything else take care of itself."
The MLB Draft League serves as a showcase for draft-eligible and professional prospects, giving players the opportunity to compete in front of scouts from all 30 Major League organizations.
"Really excited for Billy to get this opportunity in the MLB Draft League," said D'Youville baseball head coach
Kyle McLain. "It's been his goal his whole time on campus to play professionally and to see him reach one of his goals is awesome. We are extremely proud of him and look forward to watching his future success."
For Morris, it marks the beginning of a new chapter—one built upon a collegiate career that established him among the greatest players ever to wear a Saints uniform and one that now provides the opportunity to chase his professional baseball aspirations.
About the MLB Draft League
The MLB Draft League is a six-team baseball league featuring a split-season amateur-professional format. The first half of the MLB Draft League season features Draft-eligible players aiming to improve their stock ahead of the annual MLB Draft in July. The League switches to a professional format in the second half, with paid players comprising the six rosters.
2026 Schedule
First Half (June 2-July 5, 2026): Amateur/Draft-eligible players from the Divisions I-III, NAIA, Junior College and High School (graduating seniors) levels. Thirty (30) games per team.
Second Half (July 8-Sept. 2, 2026): Professional players who have exhausted their amateur eligibility. Players receive housing, meal money, travel and weekly compensation. Fifty (50) games per team.
PROVEN RESULTS
Since its inception in 2021, the MLB Draft League has produced 233 MLB Draft picks and had more than 180 undrafted free agents sign with a Major League organization. Additionally, 15 players from the Professional half of the 2022-25 MLB Draft League season had their contracts purchased by a Major League organization.
FIRST-CLASS AMENITIES
The six MLB Draft League teams – the
Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the
State College Spikes, the
West Virginia Black Bears, the
Williamsport Crosscutters, the
Trenton Thunder and the
Aberdeen IronBirds – are former Minor League affiliates geographically based in New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. All games are played in former Minor League stadiums:
Players are provided housing as well as pre-game and post-game meals free of charge by their MLB Draft League team. All teams in the league have extensive experience providing high-quality housing to players during their time as Minor League teams, and the League is working with teams to ensure all housing meets applicable COVID-19 safety precautions.
BIG-LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
The MLB Draft League's managers and coaches are former Major League players, coaches and instructors who will help prepare the players for careers as professional athletes. Managers from the League's first two seasons include Coco Crisp, Jedd Gyorko, Jeff Manto, Dave Trembly, Homer Bush, Jesse Litsch and Joe Oliver.
TECHNOLOGY
The MLB Draft League relies heavily on technology such as Trackman, Synergy and Rapsodo to help educate and improve players. All of the data and analytics aggregated throughout the MLB Draft League season is shared with the athletes, their college coaches (if applicable) and MLB scouts.
HIGH-VISIBILITY
MLB Draft League participants receive unprecedented visibility to MLB Club scouts through both in-person observation and state-of-the-art scouting technology that is shared with all 30 MLB teams. Additionally, all MLB Draft League games are streamed on the League's website.
